Roller ironer



J. A. HICKS ROLLER IRONE'R May M, 1946.

`5 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Deo. 6, 1945 JAMS A,

Maly 14, 1946. J A HICKS 2,400,233

ROLLER IRONER Filed Deo. 6. 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 .1445s n', #a L, paczw sfo @065er 1.. Haz. eHow; mwa-Mmm zaffm May M, w45. l A, HMS 2,460,233

ROLLER IRONER Filed Dec. 6, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 4, 1941i l JT, A, HICKS 2,400,233

' ROLLER IRONER Filed Dec. 5, 1943 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented May 14, 1946 ROLLER IRONER James A. Hicks, deceased, late of Atlanta, Ga., by Robert L. Holbrook, administrator, Atlanta, Ga., asslgnor to A. L. Belle Isle Application December 6, 1943, Serial No. 513,206

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to an attachment or unit arranged to be connected to ironing or pressing machines and more particularly to improved means for selectively controlling the pressures applied to the rollers or a movable press head during the ironing or pressing operation.

An essential feature of the invention is to provide means to insure a ilexible and positive operation of an ironer irrespective of the size or shape of the material being ironed. This is effected by operatively connecting a twin piston unit to each end of the pressure rollers, one of which pistons constitutes a pressure piston and the other a lifting piston for the rollers. Compressed air or gas for propelling the pistons is admitted to one side only of each piston, while the opposite or non-pressure side may be provided with means to insure smooth and indeiinite use of the pistons.

A further object consists in providing a governor which is operatively/connected to the twin piston unit for selectively controlling the different pressures applied to an operable member.

Another object consists in associating a control valve with the twin pistons which is provided with means to prevent the vibration of the pistons when shifting the pressure from the lifting side to the compression side or vice versa, during the operation of the rollers.

Another object of the invention is to provide twin air pistons for controlling the application and withdrawal of the pressure applied to an operable member in which the pistons are lubricated by dry graphite, thus eliminating stuffing boxes and all composition packing so that the pistons and piston rods may operate indenitely without repair or requiring further lubrication and without danger of leakage of the lubricant, which incidentally' is a common defect in oil lubricants.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Claims and drawings.

Referring to the drawings in which are shown several preferred embodiments of the invention;

Figure 1 is a` diagrammatic side view of an ironing machine with parts in section and showing the various units associated with the machine for selectively controlling the pressure applied to the rollers.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the control valve.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially at right angles to Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the slide valve body.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5--5 of Figure l. f

Figure 6 is a detailed enlarged side view with parts in section of one of the roller supports.

Figure '7 is a vertical sectional view of the governor valve.

Figure 8 is a plan view of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a side'view of a modified form of the invention, with parts in section.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line Ill--I 0 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a side elevation of a further modiiication.

Figure 12 is a side view of another modication in which a single piston unit is arranged to operatively control rollers positioned on opposite sides of the cylinder.

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line I3-I 3 of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a vertical sectional View of a modiiied form of a control valve provided with means for lowering the pressure applied to the roller.

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken substantially at right angles to Figure 14.

Figure 16 is an enlarged detail side view with parts in section `of the piston rod and control lever shown in Figure 9.

Figure 17 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line I1--I I of Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a side view with parts in section of a garment press showing my invention applied thereto.

Figure 19 is a sectional detail view of the control valve mechanism shown in Figure 18.

Figure 20 is a sectional view taken substantially at right angles to Figure 19.

Referring to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts in the several views, I0 designates the side frames of an ironing machine (Fig. 5) to which are journalled the ends of a cylinder or ironing drum II in any well known manner (not shown).

Pressure rollers I2, preferably ilve in number, coact with the periphery of the drum I I for yieldably pressing the fabric against the drum during the ironing operation. Associated with each of the rollers is a supporting bracket I3 secured to the adjacent side frame It in any suitable manner such as by the bolts or' rivets I4 (Fig. l). A bell crank lever I5 is pivoted at I6 to the bracket I3 (Fig. 6) and has its horizontal arm II formed with a housing I8 which slidably receives the stem or arm I9 of the bearing block 2l).

Each of the rollers I2 is provided with a shaft 2|, the ends of which are journalled in the bearing blocks 28. A coil spring 22 is conned between one end of the housing |18 and a collar 23 on the stem I9, so as to provide yieldable means for permitting the rollers I2 to ride over uneven surfaces that may be formed in the fabric. The stem I9 has an outer reduced threaded portion 24 which receives a retainingl nut 25 for limiting the downward movement of the roller I2. Each of the bearing blocks 28 may also be provided with means to insure proper lubrication of the ends of the shaft 2|.

The vertical arms 21 of the bell cranks I5 are connected to links 28 by the pins 29 so as to simultaneously actuate the rollers I 2 to move the same into and out of Contact with the periphery of the drum I I.

In order to insure a iiexible and positive operation of the ironer, the pressure applied to the rollers is controlled by a twin piston air unit which preferably comprises the spaced cylinders 38 and 3|, mounted on the arms 32 (Fig. 5) carried by the brackets 33 which in turn are secured by the bolts 34 to the sideV frames II). A piston rod 35 common to each of the cylinders 38 and 3I, has a piston 36 at one end mounted in the cylinder 38 and a piston 31 connected at its opposite end and slidable in the cylinder 3|. A lever 38 pivoted at 39 to the bracket 33 engages the spaced collars 40 and 4I on the piston rod 35 and has its forked lower end 42 engaging a pin 43 on the adjacent link 28. As shown, the cylinder 3| constitutes the pressure cylinder for the rollers I2, while the cylinder 38 constitutes the lifting cylinder for moving the rollers away from the drum. Lubricant, such as dry graphite, may be supplied to the non-pressure side of the cylinders by removable plugs 39. Fluid pressure such as air is introduced into the cylinders on one side of the pistons 36 and 31 through the pipes 44 and 45 respectively, which in turn communicate with the inlet ports 46 and 41 of the control valve body 48. The body 48 has an exhaust port 49 for discharging the air from the cylinder to the atmosphere and also has an exhaust port 58 for discharging the air from the cylinder 3 I. A slide valve 5I is associated with the valve body 48 and is formed with spaced chambers 8 and 9 which when the slide valve is in its neutral position, overlaps the inlet and exhaust ports so as to prevent air being conducted to the twin piston cylinders. A casing or hood 52 mounted on the valve body 48 carries a transversely disposed shaft 52 to which is connected a sleeve 53 (Fig. 3) having a depending forked arm 54 pivotally connected to the lugs 55 on the slide valve 5I by the pin 56. The shaft 52 has one end extending outside of the hood 52 to which is secured an operating handle 51 as at 58. An air volume reservoir 59 communicates through the pipe 68 and the port 6I in the valve body 48 with a chamber 68' in the hood 52. 'Ihe port 6I is located to one side of the slide valve 5I so that upon the selective movement of the slide valve, either the inlet port 46 can be brought into communication with the lifting cylinder 38, or the inlet port 41 can communicate with the pressure cylinder 3 I. A graduating pressure feed valve or governor 62 (Fig. 7) communicates through the pipe 63 with the reservoir 59. The valve 62 also communicates through a pipe 64 with an air compressor or the like (not shown) The valve 62 preferably comprises a two-piece housing formed with an upper section 65 and a lower section 66 which are threaded together as at 61 and between Which is clamped a diaphragm 68. A governor spring 69 is conned within the section 65 between a collar 10 on the diaphragm spindle 1| and a sleeve 12 threaded to a regulating nut 13. A dial plate 14 fastened to the top of the valve 62 by any suitable means such as the bolts 15, is provided with a central opening through which extends a reduced portion 16 of the nut 13. An operating handle 11 is fastened to the portion 16 for rotating the nut 13' so as to move the sleeve 13 axially to vary the pressure applied by the spring 69 to the diaphragm 68.

The lower section 66 of the valve body has a chamber 18 communicating with an air receiving chamber 19 through an opening 18 in th'e web 89. The wall of the opening 18 has a valve seat 8| controlled by a valve 82 on the diaphragm spindle 1I which extends through the web 80 into the chamber 19. A cap nut 83 is threaded to a de` pending portion 84 of the section 66 as at 85 and has a slot 86 for receiving the lower end of the spindle 1|. The spindle 1| below the valve seat 3| preferably carries a collar 81 between which and the nut 83 is confined, a coil spring 86 for the purpose of normally maintaining the valve 82 against its seat. Air from the compressor is initially introduced into the chamber 19 through the pipe 64 and the port 89 and is allowed when the valve 82 is moved away from its seat by the actuation of the diaphragm 68, to escape into the chamber 18 from where it passes through the port 9U and the pipe 63 to the reservoir 59. A non-return check valve 9| (Fig. 1) is connected to the pipe y63 between the valve body 62 and the reser- Voir 59 to maintain a constant supply of air in the reservoir and to prevent the escape of air from the reservoir back into the valve body 62.

The dial plate 14 of the valve body 62 is provided with markers or indicia 92 (Fig. 8) to indicate the amount of air pressure in pounds applied to the spring 69 when the pointer or finger 11 on the handle 11 is moved into registration with each of these markers. In order to maintain the handle 11 in any predetermined fixed position, it may have a boss 93 (Fig. '7) which carries a plunger 94 arranged to be normally urged downwardly and outwardly by a spring 95 so as yieldably to maintain its lower end 96 in engagement with spaced notches 91 formed in the plate 14 adjacent the markers 92.

In operation, the finger 11' on the handle 11 is moved into registration with the proper marker on the plate 14. This movement rotates the nut 3,v which in turn moves the sleeve 12 axially to exert the desired pressure on the spring 69, thus displacing the diaphragm 69 which in turn moves the valve 82 away from its seat BI, so as to allow the air from the main compressor to flow from the `chamber 19 into the chamber 18, port 90, pipe 63 to the reservoir 59 until the pressure in the reservoir 59 overcomes the pressure of the spring 69. When this occurs, the diaphragm 68 is returned to its normal position, thus moving the valve 82 toits closed position. Assuming that it is desired to apply a pressure of ve pounds to an operable member, such as the rollers I2, the handle 51 of the control valve 48 is moved to the position shown in Figure 2 which actuates the slide valve 5I to establish communication of the air reservoir 59 with the compression cylinder 3| through the pipe 6U, chamber 60', and the port 41 which communicates through the pipe 45 with the intake end of the cylinder 3|, thusmoving. the pistons and their associated parts to the position as shown in Figure 1. This movement causes the actuation of the links 28 which in turn move th'e bell-cranks |5 to apply an equal amount of pressure to the rollers |2. In this position, air is exhausted from the lifting cylinder 30 through pipe 44, port 46, chamber 9 and exhaust port 49. As the exhaust ports are smaller than the feed ports, the escape of the air is retarded, thus preventing the vibrating of the piston when the pressure is changed from the pressure piston to the lifting piston. Conversely, the same desired results are effected when the pressure is transferred from the pressure piston to the lifting piston.

It will be seen that the position of the handle 51 for controlling the slide valve 5| automatically `controls the graduated pressure applied to the rollers |2 in accordance with the pressure required to properly iron the fabric. Upon the movement of the handle 51 to the position as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, the slide valve 5| and its associated parts are moved to permit the exhaust port 50 to communicate with the cylinder 3| to permit the air to escape from the pressure piston and at the same time, air from the reservoir 59 is conducted to the lifting piston 30 to move andrnaintain the rollers |2 away from the periphery of the drum I a proper distance to insure the cooling of the rollers, and in such a manner as to prevent vibration of the piston during the transfer of the pressure from one cylinder to the other. When the handle 51 is moved to its vertical or neutral position, the valve 5 closes communication between the inlet ports 46 and 41 with the chamber 60.

The location of the non-return check valve 9| between the air reservoir 59 and the pressure feed valve 62 is for the purpose of preventing the depreciation of thereservoir pressure so as to maintain the rollers in their raised or cooled position in case the main source of pressure is discontinued. In other words, the air is trapped in the reservoir 59 and is precluded by the check valve 9| from escaping or returning through the pipe 63 to the control valve 62 and into the compressor which manifestly would reduce the pressure applied to the piston 30 and cause the rollers to be moved closer to the drum, thus delaying the cooling of the rollers.

Instead of associating a twin piston unit with the ends of a series of rollers, such as previously described, there is shown in Figure 9 a modification of the invention, in which a vertically disposed twin piston unit 98 has a pressure cylinder 99 and a spaced lifting cylinder |00. A piston in the cylinder 99 is connected to a piston |02 in the cylinder |00 by a common piston rod |03. VThe frame I 04 of the machine has mounted thereon a bracket |05 to which is pivotally connected an operating lever or arm |06 by the pin or bolt |01. The twin piston unit 98 may also be secured to the bracket |05 by the bolts |08. The lever |06 has an offset spaced arm |09which constitutes a yoke for loosely receiving the piston rod |03 and which engages the spaced collars or flanges ||0 on the sectional sleeves or members I which embrace the reduced portion |03' (Fig. 16) of the piston rod |03. The sleeves I|| are clamped together by the spaced threaded bolts ||0 and the nuts |09 (Fig. 17) and are spaced from the reduced portion |03' of the piston rod to provide a clearance |04' which permits the piston rod to turn in its operation, so as to insure equal wear on the pistons |0| and |02. The spaced collars or flanges l0 engage the opposite sides of the lever |06 so that upon the actuation of the pistons |0| and |02, the lever |06 is moved to control the movement of the roller H6 relative to the drum ||6 or surfac with which it is associated. f

A depending arm ||2 pivotally mounted as at ||3 to the lever |06, carries a bearing block ||4 for each end of the roller shaft H5. A pressure roller ||6 is journalled on the shaft 5 and is arranged to be moved in and out of engagement with the drum. The blocks ||4 are slidably mounted in the spaced guides I I1 which may be -fastened to the frame of the machine by the bolts H8. The pressure cylinder 99 communicates through the pipe ||9 with the inlet portl 41 of the control valve 48, while the lifting cylinder |00 is connected to the inlet port 46 of the control valve through the pipe |20 so as to be operable in substantially the same manner as the twin pistons previously described. Lubricant, such as dry graphite, is supplied to the cylinders 99 and |00 through the plugs |'2| to insure a smooth operation 0f the pistons.

The bracket |05 may be provided with an elongated slot |22 for receiving the pin |01 and thus provide means for adjusting or shortening the length of the lever |06 so as to increase the pressure applied to the roller ||6. Thus, when the twin piston units 98 are associated with each of a series of rollers, the rst or grab roller of the series, may be provided with increased pressure by shortening the length of the lever |06 While the remainingV or succeeding rollers may have their levers |06 of the same length and therefore impart the same pressure to the rollers to which they are associated. It will be seen that when the lever connected to the grab roller is shortened and the other levers are of the same length, the first roller, due to its increased pressure, will act to temporarily hold the fabric while the next roller which has a slightly reduced pressure, will tend to draw the fabric and thus stretch it, with the result that the fabric is properly positioned to effectively iron the same. It will be understood that any number of spaced rollers ||6 may be associated with a drum or a ilat ironing surface, and that each roller may be operatively connected at its ends with a twin piston such as 98, and also to a graduating feed pressure valve and governor for the purpose of applying a graduated pressure to the rollers during the ironing operation.

The form of the invention shown in Figure 11 is substantially similar to the disclosure in Figure 9 with the exception that the operating lever |23 is directly connected to the shaft |24 of the roller |25, thus dispensing with the use of link connections and guides for the roller. .A supporting bracket |26 fastened to the frame by the bolts |21 may be provided with an elongated slot |28 to which the lever |23 is adjustably connected by the retaining bolt or pin |29 so that if desired, the feed roller of a series of rollers, may have its pressure increased by shortening the length of the lever |23 as compared with the lengths of the levers |23 connected to the other rollers of the series. The twin piston unit |30 has a pressure cylinder |3| and a lifting cylinder |32 in which are mounted the pistons |33 carried by the piston rod |34 so as to operate in substantially the same manner as the twin piston unit 98. Additionally, the piston rod |34 carries the spaced flanges or collars |35 which engage the lever |23 to actuate the same upon the movement of the pistons. The pressure cylinder |3| may communicate through the pipe |36 with the inlet port 41 of the control valve 48, while the lifting cylinder |32 may be connected with the inlet port 46 of the control valve 48, through the pipe |31 so as to operate in substantially the same manner as the forms previously described.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 12, a twin piston unit |38 is'provided with a pressure cylinder |39 and a space lifting cylinder |40 into which extends a piston rod |4| having a piston at each end, so as to be operable in substantially the same manner as the twin piston mechanism disclosed in Figure 11. A pair of operating levers |42 and |43 are pivoted toa supporting bracket |44. by the pins |45 (Fig. 13) and have their inner ends forked as at |46 and |41 so as to be loosely connected by the pins |40 which extend into elongated slots |48 formed in each of the fork arms of the levers. The piston rod |4| extends between the bifurcated portions |46 and |41 of the levers and has the spaced collars |49 arranged to engage the adjacent sides of the bifurcated portions so as to actuate the levers upon the movement of the piston rod. The outer ends of each of the levers |42 and |43 is provided with a housing |50 in which extends a spindle of the roller bearing |52. A coil spring |53 is conned within the housing |50 so as to yieldably maintain the roller |54 in contact with the periphery of the drum or cylinder |55. The housing |50 and its associated parts are substantially similar in construction to the housing shown in Figure 6.

By associating a pair of operating levers with each of the twin pistons, the graduated pressure applied to a pair of rollers may be controlled by a single piston rod as contrasted to a piston rod for each of the rollers as shown in certain of the forms previously described. If desired, one of the levers and its pressure roller may be omitted without in any way alfecting the efficient operation of the piston rod and its associated parts. This is a desirable feature especially in constructions where for the purpose of economy, it is desired to operate the rollers as inexpensively as possible.

The pressure cylinder |39 is connected to one of the inlet ports ofthe control valve 48 through a pipe |56 while the cylinder |40 communicates through a pipe |51 with the other feed port of the valve 48, so that the pressure applied to the rollers may be automatically graduated as desired.

In order to equalize the pressure in the reservoir 59 in any instance in which the pressure in the feed valve or governor 52 has been changed from a greater to a lesser pressure, there is disclosed in Figures 14 and 15, a modication of the control valve 52, for exhausting or reducing this pressure. As shown, the valve body |60 is substantially similar in construction and operation to the control valve body 48 (Fig. 2) previously described, and may have the inlet ports |6| and |62 communicating with the pressure cylinder 3| and the lifting cylinder 30 respectively of the twin piston unit shown in Figure 1, and the exhaust ports |63 and |64, discharging to the atmosphere. A slide valve |65 is arranged selectively to con-Y trol the admission and discharge of the air through these ports. The slide valve and the ports are enclosed by a housing or hood |66 in which is revolubly mounted a shaft |61 that extends outwardly at one side of the lcasing and has fastened thereto an operating handle |68. The casing |66 has a chamber |69 into which air from the reservoir 59 is introduced through the pipe 60 and the port |10 in the valve body |60.

A sleeve |1| fastened to the shaft |61 has a de pending forked arm |12 which engages a pin |13 fastened to the spaced lugs |14 on the slide valve |65 so that upon the actuation of the handle, the slide valve will be moved selectively to overlap the ports for the purpose of actuating the pistons in the pressure and lifting cylinders as may be desired.

The housing |66 is preferably formed with a segmental portion |15 provided with spaced notches |16 arranged to receive a spring actuated plunger |11 mounted in the handle |68 so as to maintain the same and the slide valve |65 in a predetermined position. The housing |66 has also mounted therein, a valve casing |18 provided with a chamber |19 which communicates through the passage |89 with the chamber |69. A port |8| in the valve casing communicates with the chamber |19 through an axially disposed opening |82 in which is reciprocably mounted, a valve stem |83 that is provided at its inner end with a valve |34 normally urged in engagement with the seat by a spring |36. 'Ihe Opposite end of the valve stem extends outwardly to engage the operating handle |68 when the latter is moved in a counter-clockwise direction from the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 14. It will be seen that upon this movement of the operating handle, the valve stem |83 is moved inwardly to permit the air in the chamber |69 to escape to the atmosphere through the port |80, chamber |19, opening |92 and exhaust port |8|.

In other words, assuming that the governor 62 has initially been set to supply a pressure of fifty pounds to the air in the reservoir 59 and it becomes necessary or desirable to lower this pressure, say to a pressure of ten pounds to lessen the pressure on the rollers |2, the governor 62 is reset to the lower pressure and the handle |58 which is now in the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 14, is moved counter-clockwise to operate the valve stem |83 to permit the escape of air from the hood |66 through the ports |00, chamber |19 and port |8| to the atmosphere, whereupon the pressure of the air in the reservoir 59 and the chamber |69 will be immediately exhausted to equal the pressure at which the governor has been reset, thus transmitting a lighter predetermined pressure to the rollers |2. This simple and eflicient means for reducing the pressure applied to the rollers l2 through the actuation of the handle |68 which operates the bleed valve |18, permits `the machine to be used with various kinds and sizes of work to be ironed and allows the pressure to be changed at a minimum expenditure of time and elort.

By reason of the present invention, simple, elicient and positive means are provided for applying graduated pressures through the twin pistons to either ironing rollers or a movable press head without the necessity of lusing manually controlled means for adjusting the equipment. Dry graphite is used solely as a lubricant, so that the cylinders and bearings will stand high temperature and indefinite long service, Moreover, the twin pistons dispense with the use of soft packing, thus eliminating the danger of leaks and maintenance cost. Further, as the pressure on the rollers may be selectively graduated as desired, means are provided for preventing damage to new covered rollers.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 18, 19 and 20, the twin piston unit |98 which is substantially similar in construction and operation to the units previously described, is associated with the frame |9| of a garment or laundry press, and has a pressing cylinder |92 and a lifting cylinder |93-in which are mounted the pistons I 94 ad |95 connected by a common piston rod |96. A control valve |91 may be secured by the bolts |98 to the press frame |9| and is substantially similar in operation to the control valve 43 previously described. Air from the reservoir 59 (Fig. 1) is conducted to the chamber 200 of the control valve through the pipe and is selectively delivered to either the cylinder |92 or |93 through the pipes 202 and 203 which communicate with the chamber 200 through the ports 209 and 205 respectively (Fig. 19). A slide valve 206 controls the iiow of the air from the vchamber 200 to the cylinders |92 and |93, and also permits the exhaust of the air from these cylinders through the ports 201 and 208. A

The slide valve 206 is controlled by a revoluble shaft 209 on which is fixed a sleeve 2|0 having a depending arm 2|| forked at its lower end as at 2 I2 to engage a pin 2|3 carried by the spaced lugs 2|4 on the top of the slide valve 206. One end of the shaft 209 projects from the control valve casing and has secured thereto a foot pedal 2|5. The opposite end of the shaft 209 may be journalled in a threaded cap nut 2|6 secured to the side of the valve casing. An Varm 2|1 extends upwardly from the shaft 209 and is connected by a coil spring 2|8 to a fixed lug 2|9 on the valve casing, so as to provide yieldable means for normally maintaining the foot pedal 2 I5 in its raised or inoperative condition and the slide valve 206 moved to establish communication of the lifting cylinder |93 with the chamber 200 through the pipe 203.

A control lever 220 fastened at one end by the pin 22| to a bracket or plate 222 extends between the spaced lianges 223 on the piston rod |96 and has its opposite end connected as at 224 to a rod 225 which is secured at its upper end as at 226 to a lever 221, which in turn is pivoted at 228 to an extended portion 229 of the press frame. A press head 230 is secured by the bolts 23| to the lever 221 and is arranged to be moved in pressing engagement with a fixed buck or lower press jaw 232 secured to the top of the press frame |9| during the operation of the presser.

Instead of providing means for maintaining the slide valve 206 in a neutral position, the same 4is' preferably moved by the spring 2|8 to establish communication of the chamber 200 with the lifting cylinder |93 so that the piston |95 causes the lever 220 and its associated parts to be moved normally to raise the head 230 away from the buck 232. It will be seen that in this position, the pressing cylinder |92 communicates with the atmosphere through the pipe 202 and the port 201. Upon the depression of the foot pedal 2|5, the slide valve 205 is moved from the position shown in Figure 19 to the left, to close communication of the lifting cylinder |93 with the` chamber 200 and allow the air in this cylinder to escape through the pipe 203 and port 208 to the atmosphere. At the same time, communication is es- "tablished between the chamber 200 and the pressthe head 230. An adjustable stop 233 (Fig. 19) is arranged to be engaged by an end portion 234 of the foot pedal 2|5 to limit the movement' of the slide valve 206 towards the left when the foot pedal is depressed to engage the stop 233. A pin 235 may be provided to coact with a shoulder 236 on the end of the portion 2,34 of the foot pedal for limiting the upward movement of its outer or exposed end. The twin piston unit |90, control valve |91, pressure reservoir 59 and graduated feed valve or governor 62 and their associated parts may be readily applied to various types of pressing machines in which a movablel member is desired to be brought into pressing engagement with a coacting member by a variable or controlled pressure.

Thus, it will be seen that the attachment is such as to be conveniently applied to any type of ironing or pressing machine at a minimum expenditure of time and labor or may be installed as a, complete new uniti While for the purpose of illustration, the rollers have been shown associated with a drum, it will be manifest that these rollers are equally applicable for use with a flat ironing surface such as a table or the like and may be efficiently employed for ironing all types of fabric material. Likewise, the twin piston unit may be operatively associated with any kind of garment press or instrumentalities in which it is necessary or desirable to control the application of equal and graduated pressure to a movable or fixed surface.

Moreover, it will be obvious that the pressure feed valve, reservoir and control valve may be connected to anyone of the various twin piston units for controlling the pressure applied to an ironing roller, a movable press head or similar pressing element.

It is understood that the several forms of the invention shown and described, are merely illustrative of preferred embodiments and that such changes may be made as fall within the purview of one skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1,. In combination with an operable member, a twin piston unit having a pressure cylinder and a lifting cylinder, a reciprocating piston in each of said cylinders, a common piston rod connected to the piston, means for conducting the pressure supply to one side of each of the cylinders so that when the piston in one cylinder is: compressed the piston in the other cylinder is moved to its exhaust position, means connecting the piston rod to the operable member, a control slide valve for regulating the supply to each of said cylinders to actuate the pistons and the operable member, said slide valve having spaced exhaust ports controlled thereby, a reservoir communieating with the control valve, a graduated feed valve communicating with the reservoir, means for controlling the supply to the graduated feed valve, valve means between the reservoir and the graduated feed valve for maintaining a constant supply of. air in the reservoir and for preventing back flow of air from the reservoir into the graduated feed valve, means for operating the slide valve for conducting a predetermined supply to the twin piston unit and a predetermined pressure to the operable member, and valve means spaced from said exhaust ports and operable by movement of the slide valve for lowering the air supply pressure to the operable member.

2. In combination with an ironing machine having a revoluble drum, a series of spaced circumferentially disposed rollers arranged to be moved in and out of engagement with said drum, a twin piston unit having a pressure cylinder and a lifting cylinder, a reciprocating piston in each of said cylinders, a common piston rod connected to the pistons, means for conducting the pressure supply to one side of each of the cylinders so that when the piston in one cylinder is compressed, the piston in the other cylinder is moved to its exhaust position, means connecting the piston rod to the rollers whereby to move the rollers in engagement with the drum upon the introduction of the supply into the pressure cylinder to apply a uniform pressure of the rollers against the drums and to withdraw the rollers from the drum when the pressure supply is cut off from the pressure cylinder and delivered to the lifting cylinder.

3. In combination with an ironing machine having a revoluble drum, a series of spaced circumferentially disposed rollers arranged to be moved in and out of engagement with said drum, a twin piston unit having a pressure cylinder and a lifting cylinder, a reciprocating piston in each of said cylinders, a common piston rod connected to the pistons, means for conducting the pressure supply to one side of each of the cylinders so that when the piston in one cylinder is compressed, the piston in the other cylinder is moved to its exhaust position, means connecting the piston rod to the rollers whereby to move the rollers in engagement with the drum upon the introduction of the supply into the pressure cylinder to apply a uniform pressure of the rollers against the drums and to withdraw the rollers from the drum when the pressure supply is cut off from the pressure cylinder and delivered to the lifting cylinder, a reservoir communicating with the control valve for maintaining the supply in the control valve under a predetermined pressure, a gr-aduated feed valve communicating with the reservoir, means for controlling the supply to the graduated feed valve, means when the pressure of the supply in the reservoir reaches a predetermined pressure for cutting off the supply to the graduated feed valve, and means for preventing the return of the supply in the air reservoir to the graduated feed valve,

4. In combination with an ironing machine having a pressing surface, a series of spaced circumferentially disposed rollers arranged to be moved in and out of engagement with said surface, one of the end rollers constituting a leading roller, each of said twin piston units having a pressure cylinder and a lifting cylinder, a reciprocating piston in each of said cylinders, a common piston rod connecting the pistons of each unit, means for selectively conducting the pressure supply to the cylinders of each unit so that when the piston in one cylinder is compressed the piston in the other cylinder is moved to its exhaust position, a pivoted member for connecting the piston rod of each twin piston unit to its complementary roller to move the roller in engagement with said surface upon the introduction of the supply into the pressure cylinder and to withdraw the roller from said surf-ace when the pressure supply is cut off from the pressure cylinder and delivered to the lifting cylinder of each unit, and means for adjusting the pivotal member connected to theleading roller to provide a greater pressure thereon than the other rollers of the series so as to effect the CII stretching of the fabric during the ironing operation.

5. In combination with an ironing machine having a revoluble drum, a series of spaced circumferentially disposed rollers arranged to be moved in and out of engagement with said drum, one of the end rollers constituting a leading roller, each of said piston units having a pressure cylinder and a lifting cylinder, a reciproc-ating piston in each of said cylinders, a common piston rod connecting the pistons of each unit, means for conducting the pressure supply to the cylinders of each unit so that when the piston in one cylinder is compressed the piston in the other cylinder` is moved to its exhaust position, a pivoted member for connecting the piston rod of each twin piston unit to its complementary roller to move the roller in engagement with the drum upon the introduction of the supply into the pressure cylinder and to withdraw the roller from the drum when the pressure supply is cut off from the pressure cylinder and delivered to the lifting cylinder, and means for adjusting the pivotal member connected to the leading roller to provide a greater pressure thereon than applied to the other rollers of the series so as to effect the stretching of the fabric during the ironing operation.

6. In combination with a machine having a pressing surface, a pair of pressure rollers arranged to be moved in and out of engagement with said surface, a twin piston unit having a pressure cylinder and a lifting cylinder, a reciprocating piston in each of said cylinders, a common piston rod connected to the pistons, means for conducting the pressure supply to one side of each of the cylinders so that when the piston in one cylinder is compressed the piston in the other cylinder is moved to its exhaust position, and means operatively connecting the pair of rollers to the piston rod whereby to move the rollers simultaneously in engagement with the pressing surface upon the introduction of the supply into the pressure cylinder and to withdraw the rollers from said surface when the pressure supply is cut olf from the pressure cylinder and delivered to the lifting cylinder.

'7. In combination with a machine having a pressing surface, a pair of pressure rollers arranged to be moved in and out of engagement with said surface, a twin piston unit having a pressure cylinder and a lifting cylinder, a reciprocating piston in each of said cylinders, a common piston rod connected to the pistons, means for conducting the pressure supply to one side of each of the cylinders so that when the piston in one cylinder is compressed the piston in the other cylinder is moved t0 its exhaust position, said piston rod being positioned between the rollers, a pivotal member connected to each roller, and means operatively connecting the pivotal members to the piston rod whereby to move simultaneously the rollers in engagement with the pressing surface upon the introduction of the supply into the pressure cylinder and to withdraw the rollers from said surface when the pressure supply is cut off from the pressure cylinder and delivered to the lifting cylinder.

8. In combination with a press of the class described having a stationary buck, a movable press head arranged to be moved in and out of engagement with said buck, a twin piston unit having a pressure cylinder and a lifting cylinder, a. reciprocating piston in each of said cylinders, a common piston rod connected to the pistons.

`the press head to the buck during the pressing operation.

9. In combination with a press of the class described having a stationary buck, a movable press head arranged to be moved in and out of engagement with Isaid buck, a twin piston unit having a pressure cylinder and a lifting cylinder, a reciprocating piston in each of said cylinders, a common piston rod connected to the pistons, means for conducting the pressure supply to one side of each of the cylinders so that when the piston in one cylinder is compressed, the piston in the other cylinder is moved to its exhaust position, means operatively connecting the pistons to the press head, a slide valve operatively connected to each of said cylinders, foot operated means for actuating said valve to control the movement of the press head relative to the buck, and means for normally maintaining the press head in its raised position relative to the buck.

ROBERT L. HOLBROOK.

Administrator of James A, Hicks, Deceased. 

